Everybody in the Pool E104: Solar panels you can print, roll, and deploy
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Sep 25, 2025 In this conversation, Anthony Letmon, co-founder and CEO of Kardinia Energy, shares his innovative vision for lightweight, recyclable printed solar technology. He explains how this new approach can fit into unconventional spaces, like concert stages, and why it's designed for shorter lifespans to encourage upgrades. Learn how printed solar overcomes the weight limitations of traditional panels, making it a game-changer for disaster relief, industrial roofs, and more. Anthony also discusses partnerships with artists like Coldplay to test these exciting ideas.
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Ultra-Lightweight Solar Changes Where You Can Install
- Printed solar weighs about 300 grams per square meter versus 15–20 kg for silicon panels, enabling installs on lightweight structures.
- The thin, flexible material behaves like a laminated concert poster and opens new deployment sites.
Weight Is A Hidden Barrier To Rooftop Solar
- Roof weight limits keep millions of industrial roofs solar-free even when space and sun are available.
- Removing heavy-panel constraints lets owners avoid costly structural upgrades and makes rooftop solar economical.
Short Lifetime Enables Continuous Improvement
- Kardinia prioritizes low cost and recyclability over chasing top cell efficiency.
- They design printed solar for an approximate five-year lifetime to enable upgrades and in-house recycling.